WIBTA if I photoshopped the color of my SIL dress?

Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events, and the photos are meant to capture every beautiful detail. Our OP, a 23‑year‑old woman, recently got married and was thrilled with most of her wedding photos. However, one detail left her frustrated: her sister‑in‑law wore a long white dress despite being repeatedly advised not to, and it clashed with the overall look of the pictures.

Rather than letting the issue fester, OP is considering photoshopping the dress’s color to a blush or champagne hue to create a more harmonious image. Though she never confronted her SIL about it at the time, she now wonders if altering the photos behind her back makes her the asshole. After all the planning and memories, can a little digital editing fix the aesthetics without crossing the line into deceit? Let’s break down the situation.

‘WIBTA if I photoshopped the color of my SIL dress?’

In the world of wedding photography, digital retouching and editing are standard practices. Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist with expertise in interpersonal relationships, notes, “Personal memories, especially those captured in photographs, are often curated to reflect the vision you have for your life. When a single detail disrupts that vision, making subtle adjustments is a common and understandable practice.” (kidshealth.org)

From an ethical standpoint, many professional photographers routinely retouch images to improve lighting, remove distractions, or adjust colors. The key is that these alterations are for the sake of preserving the beauty of the moment, rather than to intentionally misrepresent reality or harm someone’s feelings. Family therapist Dr. Susan Johnson explains,

“If you are simply editing out an element that detracts from the overall aesthetic of your personal memories—and it doesn’t involve a complete fabrication—it’s a reasonable step to ensure that your lasting memories are as you wish to remember them.” It’s important to note that the OP’s decision does not aim to attack her SIL personally, but rather to salvage the visual quality of the photos from her wedding day.

Given that the dress choice was made despite prior advice, the decision to alter its appearance in a private, personal album is within her rights. Experts agree that while transparency is important, personal keepsakes are often tailored to the owner’s vision. In this instance, the subtle adjustment of a dress’s color is seen as a harmless tweak, especially when the alternative would be to display a visual inconsistency that the OP finds distracting.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

Many redditors empathize with the OP’s frustration, noting that wedding photos are precious and every detail matters. “If your wedding photos are your lifelong memories, a little digital magic to fix a glaring mistake is totally acceptable,” one commenter stated.

Ultimately, the OP’s decision to photoshop her SIL’s dress in her wedding photos appears to be a reasonable step to ensure that her memories of her special day are visually pleasing and consistent with her vision. While some might worry about the ethics of altering family photos without discussing it, many experts and community members agree that when it comes to personal keepsakes, a little digital tweaking is completely acceptable.

What do you think? Is it fair to edit out elements that detract from your cherished memories, or should family members always remain in their original form? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—what would you do if you found yourself in a similar situation?